Most everyone is familiar with the legacy of the late civil-rights leader Martin Luther King  Jr. Now the Horizon League hopes to leave behind a legacy of its own through a conference-wide effort that recognizes King’s life and links sport with education.

For the second straight year, each of the Horizon League’s nine schools chose a local elementary school at which to sponsor a contest for the upper grades. Participating students could celebrate King’s legacy by writing an essay, performing music or creating art. Each school picked 15 winners who were recognized during conference men’s and women’s basketball games played during the King holiday weekend.

Alfreeda Goff, senior associate commissioner at the Horizon League, said the community outreach built around Martin Luther King  Jr. has its roots in the league’s strategic plan.

“One of the areas our board wanted to concentrate on was education through sport. Part of that is reaching out to our communities,” Goff said. “I thought we needed to do something reflective of someone who really believed in education, fairness, equality — all those things we think college sports should embrace. That’s why we chose Martin Luther King  Jr.”

Initially, the league was going to focus on games in which the opposing coaches were African-American. But Goff realized the concept was broader than that. “It’s not about two black coaches,” she said, “but about what we’re doing as a league and how our member institutions are connecting with our communities to share educational components along with sports.”

Consequently, the effort was expanded to encompass the entire league.

In addition to being publicly recognized, contest winners received three complimentary tickets to the game, a T-shirt and a book. This year, classroom teachers who participated in the contest were awarded a DVD about King.

Goff said that although most of the contest participants submitted essays, she is waiting for a group or an individual to compose a musical piece. “We tell them to be creative,” said Goff, who hopes that participants understand that sport teaches life-long lessons.

“What you do in the classroom reflects what you do on the court or field,” she said. “Martin Luther King Jr.’s message was that even though we have physical differences, the content of our character, which reflects what we do in the classroom and on the field, also reflects who we are. That’s a lot, maybe, for a fifth-grader to comprehend, but hopefully those messages we’re sending will be reinforced by their teachers, parents and, most of all, by our college student-athletes.”

Goff said the league is committed to continuing its celebration of King and its partnership with schools to promote the positive link between sports and education. She said the conference also will continue to enhance the program.

“I want this to be a legacy for our league,” said Goff. “We want people to know our student-athletes in this league are engaged in the community, and we think education through sports is a priority.”

This winner of the Horizon League’s contest celebrating the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. is accompanied by a Butler University basketball student-athlete during a January 14 recognition ceremony.